Cooper gets British title shot in February

Owen Cooper…”we’re very, very confident,” said trainer Melvin

OWEN Cooper, the Worcester welter who blends a warrior spirit with wonderful skills, has his British title fight.

The 25-year-old will face Commonwealth champ Constantin Ursu – born in Moldova, based in Plymouth – for the vacant Lonsdale Belt on February 28 in Derby.

Owen has more than earned his chance. With just one defeat in 12, he came within a whisker of beating former champ Ekow Essuman, trounced leading – and avoided – light-middle Chris Kongo last time out and destroyed Eithan James for the English title.

The turkey and trimmings will be trimmed down to the bare minimum as Cooper trains for the big one over Christmas.

Cooper’s a human buzzsaw who breaks opponents down with left hooks driven as if burying rivets into steel plate.

In Ursu, who he meets for the domestic title vacated by Conah Walker, Owen faces a boxer considered one of the division’s true dangermen.

In March, Ursu sparked out Eithan James in seven for the Commonwealth belt and successfully defended it with a points win over Ryan Amos last month.

The 25-year-old is unbeaten in 14, six bouts ending early.

Cooper last fought in May when he gained that sterling victory over Kongo. February’s 12 rounder looks a 50-50 battle guaranteed to produce fireworks.

Owen’s trainer Malcolm Melvin admitted Ursu presents a tough test, but is confident the belt will be coming back to Worcester.

The former pro, who twice attempted to take a British title, said: “He’s a dangerous lad, a good lad, whether he’s a monster remains to be seen because he’s fought no one like Owen Cooper. We will be more than ready. We’re not fearful of him because he doesn’t bring anything to the table that we haven’t seen before.

“It’s a very good fight between two lads who like to come forward. Promises were made after the last fight (against Kongo) and this opportunity is overdue and I’m very confident Owen will win the British title. Honestly, in an ideal world we would’ve like to tuck-in a nice little six rounder beforehand, but this is how it’s fallen.

“And remember, Owen was out for 10 months before beating one of most dangerous men in the division above him (Kongo). If I was to be truthful, the Owen Cooper who beat Chris Kongo was only 50-60 per cent of what he’s capable of. No one has seen Owen at his best.

“We’re very, very confident. Owen has fought some of the best welters in the country, he beat Kongo, ranked number four in the light-middleweights. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but if Owen produces what we know he can produce he’ll win.”

Ursu’s demolition of Eithan James made the public sit-up and taken notice. Melvin admitted: “It was a decent performance. Eithan James is a lovely lad, but I don’t think he’s been the same after what Owen did to him.”

Cooper has the opportunity to accomplish something that eluded Melvin: he was twice outpointed, at light-welter and welter, in British title fights. That’s given the showdown even greater significance.

“For whatever reasons, I just fell short,” Melvin added. “Owen now has the opportunity and coaching him for it means the world.”